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| Image credit: Pixabay |
"If the kids are with us, we have no problem finding a good restaurant or booking a hotel while touring," they said. "But without them, we just depend on tour operators. It's so difficult to figure out which places are good; all our time goes into research. These kids just look at their phones and find everything in a jiffy!"
That made me think about the capabilities of younger folks.
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Another day, a neighbour dropped by. We were discussing social media, disinformation, misinformation, AI-generated videos and so on.
She shared a story: "My 11-year-old son asked me a question. I had no clue. I then quickly Googled it on my phone and gave him the answer. His immediate reply was: 'You looked that up online. Are you sure what you're saying is correct?'"
The young boy was questioning the reliability of information, from a trusted adult!
That was a pointer to the sort of digital literacy and critical thinking that people of my generation are still struggling with!
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| Image credit: Pixabay |
After my presentation, I took questions from the students. Here are just two of the questions:
"Why do news reports say 'according to a source'? Why don't you tell us who the source is?"
"I was watching news about the Ukraine war on TV. Isn't it risky for journalists to be in war zones? How do they manage to get there amid all the firing and shelling?"
I was left wondering if I am talking to 10-grade students or J-School students!
The questions revealed not just curiosity, but also an understanding of journalism which took me by surprise.
DISPELLING MYTHS ABOUT YOUTH
These examples run contrary to some common assumptions about the younger folks: that they lack understanding, they are disorganised, or they aren't ready for life's challenges.
On the contrary, I think, there are a lot of things we can learn from them.
Their curiosity, confidence, and ability to work around ever-evolving technology are quite remarkable. More importantly, they know new ways of doing things and they are determined to follow their passions.
NO EXPERIENCE? NO PROBLEM
We traditionally associate wisdom with experience. True, younger folks lack that. But they have plenty to make up for it.
Their engagement with technology is an eye-opener.
The typical older generation response is often: "Oh! We managed perfectly well without these modern gadgets."
As a senior citizen myself, I've had similar thoughts.
While that may be true, it's neither progressive nor positive.
What strikes me most about younger minds is their curiosity and willingness to experiment without the baggage of the past.
Unlike my generation, they don't spend too much time planning. They begin with a rough sketch of their path forward, then tackle challenges, improvise, and course-correct in real-time.
QUESTIONING STATUS QUO
Even with traditional social norms, they look for newer methods. They have the conviction to prioritise convenience and adaptability over restrictive conformity.
A mother once told me about her teenage daughter's response to being asked to do housework:
"Why are you only asking me? Why aren't you asking my brother to do the same?"
The typical older generation argument is: "This is how it has always been done."
The younger generation responds: "Why should it still be done that way?"
They don't just question; they often propose alternatives.
They're more conscious of equity (not just equality, which a college student once told me is outdated), as well as saving time, using resources efficiently, and achieving better outcomes.
REAL-TIME ADAPTATION
Young people are like natural innovators!
Look at how they start YouTube channels with nothing but phone cameras, or launch philanthropic or community programmes through social media accounts.
One example is Shraddha Jain who moved from coding (in information technology) to comedy. This is her YouTube channel.
As she says in this 2022 interview with ET Now's Brand Equity, it wasn’t an easy transformation at all.
SHOULD WE WORRY ABOUT YOUNGER FOLKS?
I don't think there's anything to worry.
Just as we expected our previous generations to have faith in us when we were young, we need to pass the baton and place that same confidence in the next generation.
However, there is one legitimate concern. It is not about them. It is about us: the absence of enough good role models among elders.
Are we setting the right examples, at home and outside? What about public servants like politicians who are always in the public domain dominating news programmes?
REAL TEACHERS
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While we focus on teaching young people about life, they're quietly showing us ways and means to live that many of us have forgotten or never developed.
They grow with their curiosity. They display honesty with their questions. This uncertain world finds a way forward with their adaptability.
While we wonder whether they are ready for the world, the moot question is: are we ready to learn from them?
We dont need to worry about the youngsters really. But there is a cause for concern with the rise of drug-abuse all over the country.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on the innovative and inquisitive alertness of youngsters. As a teacher, I have always enjoyed that as well as the freshness of the uncontaminated minds.
Hi Tomi - Yes, I have heard about growing drug-menace. I just hope they would realise what they are getting into before it's too late.
DeleteWhat a thoughtful and thought-provoking post. It's good to hear that youngsters are taking online safety and security seriously. The young are adaptable and capable of learning quickly. Their elders can share their experiences of life. It's a two-way process.
ReplyDeleteEven I was pleasantly surprised to hear about how the youngsters are conscious about the inherent dangers of the online.
DeleteHari Om
ReplyDeleteThe eternal cycle - we were all young once!!! YAM xx
Hi Yamini - True, it's all cyclic.
DeleteNicely Penned. The message here is crystal clear. The qualities with which the young are blessed with are sure the requirement of the contemporary world and elders must make a note of it and encourage the young to go ahead. In the process, sure there are some dangers and elders out of their experience should gently guide the young therein!
ReplyDeleteHi Sreedhar - Curiousity of the young combined with the experience of the elders!
DeleteToday's youngsters offer a unique perspective on adaptability, creativity, and the fast paced changes in society. We can learn a lot from them.
ReplyDeleteYes, they often have a whole new way of looking at everyday things.
DeleteHi Pradeep - I find myself wondering ... and I get mentally swamped by tv and radio going at 100 mph ... can't keep up - yet don't have kids to ask and learn from, even if just listening. Some kids no - no need to worry ... others follow others too much. I worry about the leaders and influencers who set the tone ... that I'm not at all sure about. We have a youngster in a flat in the building - who doesn't cook - just gets deliveries in ... but she's holding a job ... so let her get on with life - I suppose! Cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteHi Hilary - They have a different perspective and their frames of references are all a lot different from those of the elders or the previous generations. That's the way it's been. And that would continue as well.
DeleteWe don't have to worry about the youth of today overall, but there are some that make us wonder what the hell is with them, this happens in all countries
ReplyDeleteTrue, it's not a perfect world!
DeleteSome of them are really curious and ready to try new things. And some of them are completely tuned out. Like with any generation, I expect. It's amazing sometimes what they'll ask and what they'll come up with.
ReplyDeleteSometimes we don't have answers to their questions!
DeleteA couple of years ago we were taking a 25 year old visitor to a restaurant for dinner in an unfamiliar arcade and upstairs. I was checking on my phone and went into what I thought was the correct arcade but it wasn't. By the time I began to recheck, the visitor and found it two doors along and guided us to it. I was very annoyed with myself for being shown up at incompetent when I was an early adopter of mobile phones in the 1990s.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you, and while I can't say it has spoilt holidays, I seem to spend so much time researching where to go, what time, what to see, how to get there. Young people, as you say, do it differently.
I have had similar experiences. I used to experiment with new features on phones about 20 years ago. But today they don't come to me as easily as they used to earlier.
DeleteA very apt post. As you rightly said, we need to pass on the baton and have confidence in the next gen. I see so much curiousity in the young ones in my family. They do not hesitate to ask questions. Its up to us to develop their minds and encourage thinking out of the box. Great post!
ReplyDeleteHi Archana - Thank you! It's the typical generational divide.
DeleteOn one hand, each generation gives a fresh perspective and thoughts while on the other hand they are rigid also.I have experienced both the aspects.
ReplyDeleteYes, a combination of both!
DeleteA very well-written post. You absolutely tell it like it is, and yes, they must find the role model in us, the older generations.
ReplyDeleteHi Marietta - Thank you so much. There is no point in blaming the yougsters for doing what they do, when the elders are putting up such a poor example!
DeleteI am in awe of how much my adult children know about technology. I feel like I'm pretty good "for my age" but they run circles around me - and have done since the beginning. They're not afraid to try new things and I like that they are more globally aware - even if I don't always agree with their point of view!
ReplyDeleteHi Leanne - We are often worried if something will go wrong. But they don't have such fears!
DeleteYou've given us lots to think about. There are things that cause concern, especially social media, but really they should be allowed to head in the direction they feel suits them best, rather than being steered by the previous generation.
ReplyDeleteHi Keith - Thank you for the comments. Yes, leave them free but under the elders' guidance.
DeleteAddition to this reflection, I believe the younger generation must also have an open mindset to learn. Take folks working for brands, for example. At age 24 to 28, they think– it’s their time to settle down and stick to one career path, sector, or industry. That's not the case, in reality. The spectrum is a rainbow! And, it has to be explored with zeal and determination.
ReplyDeleteAND, young folks shouldn't hide behind their seniors. They think that a step forward is by buttering their senior peers and confirming with them, but I believe that’s archaic. Defying but coming up with exceptional ideas is the new normal. Not just a handful, but most of the youth should also be taught to disagree with informed questions.
Thank you, Hrutwi. That's a good fresh prespective. My impression was that the new-gen was not conformist, but ready to question the seniors. Probabaly, I haven't seen the whole picture.
DeleteYes
ReplyDeleteYoungsters do have that courage and no fear of a new things...
But learning goes both ways
Sometimes I feel kids and may be teens behave like they know it all
And it comes not even after knowing 40% of whatever that subject of interest may b
Anyhow more power to them
Yes we shud be ready to learn and unlearn our ways too
I went to stand up show of ayyo shraddha
She Is lovely
Hi Afshan - Thank you for your comments. Kids, I think, exhibit that sort of extreme level of confidence because they are growing up in a much more secure and knowledgeable environment.
DeleteI am a great fan of Ayyo Shraddha, but I am yet to go for one of her shows.